Hesitation to Believe
June 18, 2019
Commentary
It can be hard today to put faith in anything or anyone. Many promises have failed, and people often feel disappointed. We trust systems and people, yet they sometimes let us down. It is easy to lose confidence. We may say, I will believe it when I see it. But in spiritual life, believing often comes before seeing. In Christ, faith opens our eyes to truth and helps us understand what we cannot see with human sight alone, leading us to trust God even when circumstances seem unclear or uncertain. Faith grows as we choose to trust daily.
In this passage, the focus is on the unbelief of the disciples. They were mourning and weeping instead of rejoicing in the good news. When Mary told them she had seen Jesus, they did not believe her (vv. 9–11). Later, two disciples met Jesus on the road and recognized Him. Yet when they shared this with others, they were not believed (vv. 12–13). Even clear testimony was met with doubt and hesitation, showing how difficult it can be for the hu-man heart to accept truth without faith, especially when fear and uncertainty fill their thoughts and emotions. They struggled to believe despite of the evidence.
Many people struggle with believing. We ask for proof, yet sometimes we still doubt when we receive it. The disciples found it hard to accept that Jesus, whom they saw crucified, was alive again. Still, Jesus expected them to believe the eyewitnesses. Their testimony was true and trustworthy. Because of their unbelief, Jesus corrected them (v. 14). This reminds us that faith requires trust, even when understanding is incomplete, and calls us to respond with open hearts, choosing to believe His Word and follow Him with confidence each day. We must choose faith even when doubts still remain.
Application
I reflect on my faith today. Do I trust God even when I cannot see? Do I doubt when things feel uncertain? Am I open to believing His Word? Do I truly trust You with my whole heart? Teach me to choose faith over fear, trust You daily, and follow with a willing heart, even when I do not fully understand Your plan.
Mark 16:9–14 (NET)
9 [[Early on the first day of the week, after he arose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had driven out seven demons. 10 She went out and told those who were with him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 And when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After this he appeared in a different form to two of them while they were on their way to the country. 13 They went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. 14 Then he appeared to the eleven themselves, while they were eating, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him resurrected.
Meyer – Unbelief Separates us From God
"Unbelief puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances.” (F.B. Meyer).